Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy targeting anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1) or its ligand (anti-PD-L1) is the backbone of numerous combination regimens aimed at improving the objective response and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Clinical trials of immunooncology regimens in other cancer types have shed light on issues of study design, including how to choose candidate regimens based on early-phase trial results, statistical considerations in trials with multiple primary endpoints, and the importance of predictive biomarkers. In this review, the updated data from early-phase trials of combination immunotherapy for HCC are summarised. Since the most extensively tested combination regimens for advanced HCC comprise anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 agents plus antiangiogenic agents, the relative benefit and antitumor mechanism of antiangiogenic multikinase inhibitors versus specific VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors are discussed. Other critical issues in the development of combination immunotherapy, including optimal management of immune-related adverse events and the value of ICI therapy in combination with locoregional treatment for HCC, are also explored.

267 Background: Atezo + bev has been approved globally for pts with unresectable HCC who have not received prior systemic therapy, based on results from IMbrave150 (NCT03434379). At a median of 8.6 mo follow-up, both coprimary endpoints were met, with statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements observed with atezo + bev vs sor for OS (HR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.42, 0.79]; P<0.001) and independently-assessed progression-free survival (PFS; per RECIST 1.1; HR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.47, 0.76]; P<0.001) (Finn, et al. N Engl J Med 2020). Here, we report an updated OS analysis for IMbrave150. Methods: The global, multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase III study IMbrave150 enrolled 501 systemic treatment–naive pts with unresectable HCC, ≥1 measurable untreated lesion (RECIST 1.1), Child-Pugh class A liver function and ECOG PS 0/1. Pts were randomized 2:1 to receive either atezo 1200 mg IV q3w + bev 15 mg/kg IV q3w or sor 400 mg bid until unacceptable toxicity or loss of clinical benefit per investigator. This post hoc, descriptive OS analysis was conducted with 12 mo of additional follow up from the primary analysis. Results: 501 pts were enrolled, including 336 to atezo + bev and 165 to sor. At the clinical cut-off date of Aug 31, 2020, median follow-up was 15.6 mo and 280 OS events were observed. Median OS was 19.2 mo with atezo + bev vs 13.4 mo with sor (HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.52, 0.85]; P=0.0009). Survival at 18 mo was 52% with atezo + bev and 40% with sor. Survival benefit with atezo + bev over sor was generally consistent across subgroups and with the primary analysis. The updated objective response rate (ORR; 29.8% per RECIST 1.1) with atezo + bev was in line with the primary analysis, with more pts achieving complete response (CR; 7.7%) than previously reported. Additional response data are in Table. Safety was aligned with the primary analysis, with no new signals identified. Conclusions: IMbrave150 showed consistent clinically meaningful treatment benefit and safety with 12 mo of additional follow-up. The combination provides the longest survival seen in a front-line Phase III study in advanced HCC, confirming atezo + bev as a standard of care for previously untreated, unresectable HCC. Clinical trial information: NCT03434379. [Table: see text]

Curcumin has long been expected to be a therapeutic or preventive agent for several major human diseases because of its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancerous effects. In phase I clinical studies, curcumin with doses up to 3600-8000 mg daily for 4 months did not result in discernible toxicities except mild nausea and diarrhea. The pharmacokinetic studies of curcumin indicated in general a low bioavailability of curcumin following oral application. Nevertheless, the pharmacologically active concentration of curcumin could be achieved in colorectal tissue in patients taking curcumin orally and might also be achievable in tissues such as skin and oral mucosa, which are directly exposed to the drugs applied locally or topically. The effect of curcumin was studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory eye diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, psoriasis, hyperlipidemia, and cancers. Although the preliminary results did support the efficacy of curcumin in these diseases, the data to date are all preliminary and not conclusive. It is imperative that well-designed clinical trials, supported by better formulations of curcumin or novel routes of administration, be conducted in the near future.

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